Additional support of the European Union for the development of forensic science in Punjab

Islamabad, 16/02/2018 - 10:26, UNIQUE ID: 180216_2

Press releases

Lahore, 12th February, 2018: Today the European Union announced 2.5m euros of support as part of a joint project between the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) and the British High Commission. This project is aimed at achieving international certification for the PFSA and increasing the use of forensics at provincial level to support better justice outcomes.

An event was held in Lahore to celebrate the launch of this fund, attended by Additional Home Secretary Mehmood Javed, the EU Ambassador Jean-François Cautain and British Political Counsellor Will Middleton.

The EU Ambassador Jean-François Cautain said: “The EU is committed to contributing to the better criminal justice system in Pakistan. This continuous support in the field of forensics in Punjab is a crucial part of our rule of law cooperation with the Government of Punjab. This second phase includes cooperation with other regions as a new priority area and will further improve Punjab Forensic Science Agency's capacity to share best practices with other provincial forensic laboratories in Pakistan."

The British Political Counsellor Will Middleton said: “I am delighted to announce this funding today. We already have a very strong relationship with the Punjab government on justice sector reform which this will strengthen even further. I am confident that this project will further develop the Punjab Forensic Science Agency’s role in supporting safe justice outcomes.”

/file/punjabforensic-1jpg-0_enpunjab_forensic-1.jpg

EU Ambassador Jean-François Cautain, British Political Counsellor Will Middleton and Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) official at the signing ceremony in Lahore